caste
//kɑːst//
Noun
casteSingular
castesPlural
1
A hereditary social class or group in Hindu society, traditionally determined by birth and associated with specific occupations and social status.
In traditional Hindu society, a person's caste determined their occupation and social standing.
2
Any rigid system of social stratification that divides people into distinct groups based on birth, wealth, or occupation.
The old caste system in that society prevented people from changing their social status.
3
A specialized group or class within a colony of social insects, such as workers or soldiers in ants or bees.
Worker bees belong to a specific caste within the hive.